Why I'm a Tree Hugger
Getting Outside: The Benefits of Nature
Have you ever stopped and actually given a tree a hug? You have to get just the right angle so the bark doesn’t scrape you, but once you do that, it’s immensely satisfying and calming.
I think I did it as a joke the first time, trying to be funny (I tend to think I’m pretty funny). Then it became something I did anytime I was in a forest or on a hike. And over time, it has become something that causes me to pause, helps me be with nature, and helps me connect with myself.
Being outside and being in nature is healing for me. It calms me. When my kids were babies, if they were crying or upset, often if I took them outside, they would calm down and stop crying. A little fresh air was the cure, and the same is true for me.
Getting out in nature (or outside) can get us away from our desks, computers, clients, or whatever work-related stress we have going on. Here are some ideas to help you get outside more and make the most of it.
Find Your Outdoor Activity
If you don’t have an outdoor activity that you do regularly, consider what one could be. While being fully immersed in nature is amazing, it isn’t always accessible. What are some outdoor things you can do that are easy to access and that you could try to add to your day?
Here are some ideas:
Hiking
Riding a bike
Walking
Getting outside and working (on your laptop, taking phone calls, etc) whenever you can
Gardening
Pulling weeds
Taking pictures of nature
Watching the sunrise or sunset
Identifying plants or trees
Bird watching
Looking at the stars at night
Looking at the clouds
Painting or drawing pictures of nature
Swimming in a creek, lake, or stream
Once you've found your activity, here’s how to make the most of it.
Look at What’s Around You
When you are outside, take some time to look around and take in the plants, animals, sky, clouds, rocks, or anything else that is part of nature. Nature has been around much longer than us, and taking the time to be aware of it can be an enjoyable experience.
I have loved trees for years, but only within the past two years have I started to really take a closer look at them. Now I spend time trying to identify them. In order to do this, I need to look closely at their trunk, bark, leaves, and the shape of the entire tree.
Now that I take a closer look at them, I can identify many of them, and I understand their seasonal routines. I pay attention to what they do in the fall and spring. I look at their markers and how they grow. I observe the baby trees versus mature trees. They are fascinating, and something I will continue to learn about.
What’s something in nature that you could take a closer look at? Next time you’re outside, try paying more attention to the details around you, and see what you can discover.
Awareness of Yourself
Notice how you feel before and after you go into nature. Journal about it or take a mental note. What does being outside do for you, and how does it make you feel? For me, there is something child-like about being outside, especially when I’m hugging a tree. It helps me relax a bit and not take myself so seriously.
Also sometimes I feel playful, especially when I’m outside with my kids. When they are outside, they naturally engage with what’s around them. For example, they look for rocks or sticks to pick up. They also like to make art with the nature they find. They play with nature, and it’s an opportunity for me to be playful as well.
Lessons from Nature
Nature has a lot to teach us. For example, I love trees because they are strong, yet flexible. They have a natural rhythm and change depending on the season. They give us oxygen to breathe. They reach up towards the sun and deep within the soil. They take up space. I can learn a lot from trees, so I do my best to do so whenever I can.
Is there something you could start to learn from as well? It could be an object, an animal, the weather, or the cycles of nature.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, step outside and connect with nature. Whether it’s watching the clouds or hugging a tree, nature is always there to teach and soothe us.
